A local state of emergency for the community of Stump Lake is one of many options currently being examined by provincial and Thompson Nicola Regional District officials.

There have been calls for a local state of emergency from residents, who can only watch as water levels on the lake rise and threaten homes.
Speaking for the TNRD, Agnese Saat says a local state of emergency would give the district extraordinary powers to issue evacuation orders, or potentially let some water out of the lake; something residents have been asking for.

“That is one of the options. Consideration has to be given however on what the impacts will be downstream and whether the water bodies downstream can actually take that extra water flow.”

Downstream, a first nations community with low lying infrastructure, Nicola Lake and some conservation lands owned by Ducks Unlimited.

Saat says decisions on a way forward will likely come within the next two days.
Engineers from the Ministry of Transportation are currently assessing options for a temporary crossing where the only access road has been washed out.